Vial-bottoming machine



May i5, F923. 1,455,056

R. KOENIG VIAL BOTTOMING MACHINE Filed oct. 4, 1921 4 sneets-Sheet 1 May 15, 1923.

R. KoENlG VIAL BOTTOMING MACHINE v Filed ot. 4, .w21 4 sheets-sheets May 15, 1923.

III- I! I! j Il `R. KOE-Nic;

'VIAL BOTTOMING MACHINE# Filed oct.. 411921 i ROBERT KoENIG, or Hnon HEIGHTS, NEW massa'.

VIAL-sorrows y Application led ctober 4, 1,921. Serial No. 505,424.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be i known that I, ROBERT Komme, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Haddon Hei hts, in the county of Camden and State of ew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vial- Bottoming Machines, of which the followin is a specification.

ne objectof my )invention is to provide improved means of simple construction which will operate on lengths of glass tubes so as to simultaneously divide each length of tube into parts'and close one end of each of the parts so that the latter 'can be used vas vials or bottles.

. Another object i`s to so construct the apparatus of my invention that it will operate to uickly form the bottoms of the vials and so t at a great number thereof can be quickly and cheapl produced. These' o jects, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, l attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in whichv Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved, apparatus; the flame producing means being omitted for clearnessof illustration,

80 Figure 2 is a section taken on vthe line 2-2 of Figure 1,

` Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary front elevational views illustrating various steps in the action of theV apparatus; the.

flame being illustrated in dot-and-dash lines, Figure 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 3,

Figure 9is aA section taken on the line 9--9 of Figure 4, and j Figures 10 and 11 are sectional plan views taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 2 drawn on a smaller scale and illustrating the parts in various positions which they. assume duringlthe operationof the apparatus.

eferring to the drawings, 10 represents a supporting frame which includes a base illustrated in the form of two rails 11 which are spaced apart and two sides 12 which-are spaced apart. .The sides 12 have bearing centers 13 for two roller shafts -14 and 15; said centers 13 being in the form of screw threaded members adjustablymounted inthe sides 12 and having conical ends 16 which t in conical recesses in the ends ofthe shafts 14 and 15 so that the shafts 14 and 15 are freely rotatable but can be .easily removed which by backing o ut the centers 13. The shaftsl 14 and. 15 have rolls or wheels 17 which are preferably arranged in pairs spaced apart Within the length of the shafts 14 and 15; 00 said rolls all being of the same diameter and preferably at the same level; vthe pairs of rolls 17 \on one shaft being in respectivel alignment with the pairs of said rolls on the other shaft as clearly shown in Figure 1'.

A The shafts 14 and 15 have `other rolls 18 vadjacent their opposite ends; Said' rol-ls '18 being located outside of the confines of the rolls 17. The rolls 18 are preferably'all of' the same'. diameter but are of smaller di- 70 l.ar'neter's than the rolls 17. The rolls 18 of one of said shafts are in alignment with respective rolls` 18 of the other of said shafts asclearly shown in Figure 8. All of the rolls are secured to their respective shafts `and if desired ca'n be made integral with .the shafts by turning the same out of solid bars of metal. The shafts 14 and 15 avre both rot-ated in the same direction and I have illustrated Vfor thisf` purpose a belt 19 -30 asses over grooved portions 20 of the sha ts 14 and 15; said grooved portions Yserving as pulleys to permit said rotation of the shafts. Top rolls 21 are rotatably supported on arms 22 and 23; said arms 85 being pivotally mountedy on the sides -12 of the frame 10. The rolls 21 are arranged at an vangle to eachother or in other Words these rolls are included in planes diverging rearwardly from a plane extending at right angles to the axes of the roller shafts 14 and 15. These rolls 21 are also located outside of the confines .of the rolls 17 and approximately4 over `the rolls 18. y 'y By arranging the rolls 17 as above de- V95 scribed they serve as a supporting cradle for lengthsof glass tubes, such for example as shown at 24 in Figure 2; the rolls 21 due to their weight and the weight ofthe arms 22 and 23 serving to holdl the tubes 100 'cause friction to exist between 'the tubes and the rolls 17 so ,that the rotation of said rolls 17 will effect a lrotation of the tubes while being heated between their ends by the flames. It will be noted that during this action the tubes will not touch the rolls 18 for the reason that these rolls are of smaller diameter than the rolls 17 and since the tubes are initially straight there will be no action or function of the rolls 18. However, it will be noted that when the central portion of the glass tubes aref` softened due to the application of the heat or flames that they will bend due to the weight of the unsoftened portions adjacent the ends and the weight imposed by the rolls 21 'and during this action the portions of the tubes at both sides ofl the central softened portion will be moved into engagement with the rolls 18 and owing to the rotation of the rolls 18, the tubes -'will be rotated and in View of the angular disposition of the rolls 21 the lattervrolls will serve as conveyors to apply tension in opposite directions on the portions of the tubes at both sides of the heated softA portions and the tubes will then be stretched and the glass under the in iuence` of the heat will gradually become of smaller cross sectional diameter until the glass fuses into a solid body and the two end portions of the tube are separated into two parts; the parts having their ends sealed and closed. It will also be noted that when the tube separates the rolls 21 must movev downward a certain distance and I utilize this movement of the rolls 21 to effect the feeding of the next tube to the apparatus by mechanism now to` be described.

A magazine 25 for the tubes to be fed to the apparatus includes two opposed channel sections 26 which are supported'upon the frame 10 preferably by mounting them on a rod 27. The lupper ends of these channels are flared to provide hoppers .28 so that the tubes can be -readily fed downward with their ends confined within the channels 26. A pressure cylinder 29 is mounted upon the base preferably on the pivot connection 27 for the magazine; it being noted that during the operation of the apparatus there is no pivotal action of the magazine and cylinder relatively to the frame since both the magazine and the cylinder can be" clamped in position by nuts 30. The pressure cylinder has a plston 31 therein which isconnectedto a rod 32; said rod leading out of one end of the cylinder.

An actuating bar 33 is secured to the piston rod 32 outside of the cylinder and at certain times is adapted to engage and move a stem 34 of a valve 35 which is slida-bly mounted in the cylinder casing 36. The valve 35. has an annular passage 37 adapted at times to register with a passage 38 in the valve casing 36; said passage 37 communieating with the space within the cylinder an integra-l boss 40 on the cylinder casing 36. vand serves under certain conditions to move the piston 31 towardthe rear end of the cylinder. This spring 39 is referablyv supported on a-rod 41; said rod being slidable through the boss 40 and having a head M adapted to engagethe boss and limit the rear movement of the actuating bar 33.

Pressure fluid, such as air, is conveyed to the interior of the casing 36 by meansofa conduit 43which includes a valve 44; said conduit being capable of being cut o by the valve 35 when the latter is in the position shown in Figure 11 so as to prevent the pressure fluid from entering the passage 38. The interior of the cylinder 29 forward of the piston 31 is in communication with the atmosphere through the medium of a hole 45 in a plug 46 which is screwed into the forward end of the cylinder; said plug merely serving to keep dirt out lof the cylinder. The valve 35 to the rear of the passage 37 is preferably reduced in diameter vto form a by-pass 47 communicating with the passage 38 when the valve is moved into its forward position as shown in Figure 11 so that any of the pressure fluid within the cylinder to the rear of the piston 31 can escape to the atmosphere and ermit the spring 39 to move the piston an actuating bar 33 rearward. The front end of the valve is bifurcated at a position outside of the valve casing as shown at 48. An actuating lever 49 is pivotally mounted on a bar 50 which is supported on the frame 10 and this lever 49 has an extension 51, which may-be made in the form of a heavy wire, which extends downward through the space 52 between the furcations of the end 48 of the valve 35.

The actua-ting bar 33 has an upwardly eX- tending part 55 providing tube-engaging portions 56 which are spaced apart within lthe width of the frame as clearly shown in Figure 1. These parts 56 during the action which is supported in the magazine and push the same off a resilient base 57`which constitutes a portion of the magazine and serves as a support for the lowermost tube.

are adapted to engage the lowermost tube This action of the parts 56 causes the lowermost tube to be pushed into` engagement with the upper portions of the rolls 21 so as to effect a lifting movement of the rolls 21 to allow the tube to be moved into the cradle between the rolls 17 on each of theV shafts 14 and 15. When the tube assumes a position resting on the rolls 17 of the shafts 14 and 15 the rolls 21 will move downward and hold-.the tube in said position as presitions and the next tube in order within. the magazine will drop'upon vthe suppolt 57. The action is as follows: o

Pressure fluid is admitted into the rear of the cylinder when the'parts' are in the position as shown in Figure 10and this action causes'the piston to move forward and the portions 56 will engage the lowermost tube within the magazine and pu'shfsaid tube into the `position shown at 24 in Figure 2 where it 'will receive rotation due to the rotation of the shafts 14 and 15 and heat l eiectthe rear movement of the portions 56 into their normal position. The glass tube will continue to rotate while in a position as shown in Figures 3 and 8 and when the central portion becomes softened the parts of the tube at opposite sides of the softened portion will be tllted due to the weight of the unsoftened glass and also the weight imposed by the rolls 21. This action will alow the rolls 21 to move downward a slight vdistance so as to hold unsoftened portions of the glass tube in engagement with the rolls 18.` This lowerin action of the rolls 2l however is not su cient to permit the rod 53 to actuate the lever 49. This condition of the parts is clearlyshown in Figules 4 and '9. During the continued rotation of the shafts 14 and l5 the tube in this bent condition will be rotated and tension in opposite directions will beimpartedby the rolls 21 so as'to cause the softened portion of the glass to be stretched for example as shown in Figure 5; heat being constantly applied to the glass during the rotation so that the heated portion will. become grad- .uallyfsmaller until it fuses or runs into a solid mass finally severing the tubes into two parts 59 and 59a' the action being to close the ends 60 of said'parts 59 and 59? as` shown `in Figure 6 so that said parts can be used as vvials or bottles. .During the continued rotation of the parts 59 and 59a therolls 21 serve to move the parts 59 and 59a in opposite directions until'they drop oii7 the opposite sides of the machine. When the parts 59 and 59 move entirely from under v the rolls 21,'the rolls 21 will move downward to such extent thatthe rod 53 will move the lever 49 and the part 51, which extendsiat a slant, will push the valve 35 rearward and allow pressure iuidto again enter thecylinder 29. toA the rear ofthe piston31;.an,d .t1.lew

action will befrep'eated. Jg'ure ,'Z shows the y partsof the ,tube having been -releas'ed'- and the rolls 21xswung `downward `to. effect;v :said movement of .the valve.v The. downward movementA of. the. rolls y21' .is `limited .-due'; to

against, stops 61, whichvareisecnred to the.,

opposite sides of the frame; I -i ,A r l,

As a means for normally holdingfthe. ac; tuating lever 49 in its raised positlomffsuoh for example as shown in dot-andfd'ash lines A in Figure 2, I provide a spring 62 on the lever 49 and lagainst a nut 62 which is screwed on the bar 50; the opposite side of the lever 49 engaging a nut 6 4 which isvalso screwed on the bar 50. Thus I can secure the desired friction against the lever 49 t hold it in its raised position and thereby prevent accidental movement of the lever `49 and valve 35.

Abar 50'which bears against the side of .the'

In theI actual operation vof apparatus as above described, I.havefound that glass tubes can. be' uickly changed .int/0 mechanism is positive serving as ay complete closure. for the bottomsland. it will1 be noted l'. that the finishing of the artic-lesef'ects the movement of the mechanism ufor feeding. another tube in place. If desired the Atubes can be shaped at their opposite ends before feeding them into this apparatus so .that

when finished by m improved vvapparatus complete bottles or vials will be produced.

By the above construction all of the rolls can be made out of metal and' thus *avoidv the covering of any of the rolls with' rubber.L or any other material'which would quickly wear and which wouldfbecolneiaifected by the heat.

.taking a particular form, it.willilee unde'r7-;

stood that the various parts of my invention,

may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to theprecise construction set forth, but

consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope 'of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new Letters Patent is 1. Apparatus' of the including means forffhe'ating a. tube between..

desire toA secure by.

its.- ends; means for. rotating said; tube; :and

tially as described.

A2. Apparatus of thecharacter:described.

l means for eiecting'al bending. of the Vtube atv the heated portion during rotation substang including means for heating a tube between lits ends; means for'rotating said tube; and A means for eHec'ting a bending of the tube at the heated portion during rotation and for applying tension to said tubedin ,opposite and means for applying pressure to said tube at opposite sides of the heated portion while on said rolls whereby said tube will be bent at the heated portion; substantially as described. 4

4. Apparatus of the character described including rolls for initially supporting a 'tube while being heated between its ends; means for applying pressure to said tube at P opposite sides of the heated portion while on said rolls whereby said tube will be bent at the heated portion; and means for applying tension to said tube in opposite directions at -both sides of said heated portion; subst-antially as described.

5. Apparatus of the character described including rolls for supporting a tube while being heated between its ends; other rolls of different diameter from said first rolls; and 'means for moving portions of said tube into engagement with said second mentioned` rolls during the heating of said tube; substantially as described.

6. Apparatus of the character described including rolls for supporting a tube while being heated between its ends; other rolls ot different diameter from said first rolls; and means for moving portions of said tube into engage-ment with said second mentioned rolls during lthe heating of said tube ands torapplying tension in' opposite directions to said tube at portions at opposite sides oit the heated portion; substantially as described. f

7. Apparatus of the character described including rolls for supporting a tube while being heated between its ends; other rolls located outside of the confines of said first rolls and being ot smaller diameter than said first rolls so that said tube is normally free of said second rolls; and means for eiltecting movement of portions of said tube into engagement with said second mentioned rolls when the heated portion of the tube becomes softened; substantially as described.

8. Apparatus of the character described including rolls for supporting a tubewhile being heated between its ends; otherl rolls located outside of the confines ot said first 4rolls and being of smaller diameter than :intacte operated upon; an operating support; means for moving said tubes from said magazine upon said support; means including a portion adapted to bear upon said' tbes when on said support; and means operatively connecting said latter means with said tube moving means and rendered y Vconnecting said latter means with said tubemoving means and rendered effective, 'due to the movement of said roll upon removal of said tubes from the support; to actuate said tube moving means; substantially as described.` f

11. Apparatus of the character described soy including a magazine for lholding tubes to Y be operated upon; an operating support; means for mowing said tubes from said magazine upon said support; means including aA portion adapted to bear upon said tubes when on said` support; and means operative by pressure fluid for actuating said'tube-moving means and rendered operative by a movement of said portion due to the movement of Asaid tubes from said support; substantially as described.

l2'. Apparatus of the character described including a magazine for holding tubes to be operated upon; means for moving said tubes from the magazine; means forming a support for said tubes when moved by said moving means; means operative by fluid pressure for actuating said movin means; means for controlling pressure flui for operation upon said fiuid pressure operating means; and means operative to render saidfluid controlling means operative when tubes are removed from said support; substantially as described.

13. Apparatus of the `character described including a magazine for holding tubes to be operated upon; means for moving said tubes from the magazine; rolls forming a support for said tubes when moved by said moving means; means for heating said tubes between their ends While on said rolls; other rolls of less diameter than said first rolls andv normally out of engagement with said tubes while on said first rolls; other rolls adapted tobear on said tubes at a position approximateiy over said second mentioned rolls whereby portions of the tubes will be moved into engagement with said second mentioned rolls when the tubes become softened by said heating means, said third to apply tension to said heated tubes in opposlte directions'whereby the tubes will be separated and moved off of said first and second mentioned rolls and allow said third mentioned rolls to move downward; means for effecting actuation of said tube movin means; and means movable by said thir mentioned rolls during their downward movement to render said latter actuatin means operative; substantially as describe 14. Apparatus of the character described including a support; means for moving articles to be operated `upon onto said support; means for bearing upon said articles while being operated upon; a pressure cylinder; a piston therein; a valve for controlling admission of pressure fluid t0 said cylinder to actuate said piston, said piston being connected to said tube moving means; and means operatively connected to said bearing means for operating said valve when said tubes are moved from the support; substantially as described. A

In testimony whereof lI have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two Subscribing witnesses. p

` ROBERT KOENIG.

Witnesses: i

ELIZABETH Gonna, l Cms E. Pom 

